Autistic Girls Network

The government has designated that pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) should receive additional preparation for school transition, but there is currently no national framework for what should happen, either for pupils with SEND or without. Head to our blog for some tips on managing school transition - https://lnkd.in/e-twK5VE #Autistic #SENDEducation

“Your child needs to be more resilient.” This statement often comes from education or social care professionals, and while it is well-meaning, it displays an alarming ignorance about being neurodivergent in a world full of systems designed for neurotypical people. Autistic people don’t need to work on their resilience. Some are already hugely more resilient than their peers by just getting through the day. Our blog post explains more - https://bit.ly/AGNresil #AutismUnderstanding #SENDEducation

A harsh reality for many autistic individuals. Societal norms often force autistic people to see themselves through the lens of neurotypical standards, rather than recognising and valuing their unique perspectives and ways of being. By defining difference as a deficiency, society fails to appreciate the richness that neurodiversity brings. Embracing diverse ways of being is crucial for true inclusivity. #Neuroinformed #Neurodivergent

Thanks Ben Potts! Small (tiny!) charities can only make a difference with lots of support, and we’ve got lots of difference to make. 😉

Today is ARFID Awareness Day. Dr Elizabeth Shea, a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in food and eating issues, joined our AGN Conversations webinar series to give us tips on recognising eating disorders (inc ARFID) in young people and how to support them. Head to our youtube channel to access the recording. #ARFID #ARFIDAwarenessDay

Read about one family's experience in identifying their daughters differences and accessing support and a sense of belonging through our network -

If you choose to pursue a diagnosis the process can feel overwhelming and confusing. We've put together some tips that may be useful as you navigate the journey. 👉 https://bit.ly/AGNProcess #Autism

Harriet, an autistic author and researcher, has written a helpful and informative handbook as a trusty guide to starting university for autistic young people, providing support and useful tips for what will be the biggest transition students will have ever experienced. If you or your child is starting university this year, this promises to be a perfect introduction to starting, what to expect, navigating your first year and some tips and tricks on how to cope. Book your place to join the session live and for a chance to ask Harriet your questions. https://bit.ly/AGNUni #AGNConversations #Neurodivergence #Autistic

Our CEO, Cathy is neurodivergent and mum to 2 autistic young people. She knows that as a parent of a child recognised as autistic as a pre-teen or teen, it can often feel difficult to find the answers you need. Children who make it to late primary/early secondary age before being picked up by the system tend to present with traits that are harder to spot, meaning it can be harder to engage professionals in the diagnostic process and gather the necessary support. Cathy has tailored this handbook to support parents with older children or teenagers who are at the identification stage, walking them through the basics in an engaging and accessible manner. She addresses key challenges for this age group, including co-occurring conditions, puberty, and safeguarding, as well as looking to the future, advising on schooling options, and beyond. Designed to help parents become fully informed and ensure a nurturing and positive environment for our autistic young people, this is a guide with a focus on difference - not deficit. Available here - https://bit.ly/3LZ6OKU #Autistic #AutisticGirls

We now have t shirts and merchandise available to buy🎉 All profit goes straight into supporting our work, and we have so much we want to do! Even better, Freepost is automatically applied from 9am Friday to midnight Sunday (BST). Take a look here -